The Question: Examine the role of supply chain management and standards in the governance structure of the fresh fruit and vegetable global supply chain. Provide evidence on economic and social upgrading upstream the supply chain.
Small backgroundJust-in-time salad? Giant supermarkets and fresh fruit and vegetables GSCs
This lecture investigates global supply chains and the role of supply chain management within the global economy of food.
The lecture focuses on the role of giant retailers (supermarkets) in shaping the global food economy, and the relationships with globally dispersed food producers.
It first explores some key factors driving the so-called ‘supermarket revolution’ in the 1980s-1990s, and examines current practices of supply chain management. Particular attention is given to the role of food standards and information technology to manage suppliers, improve flows and reduce costs within the chain.
The focus is on one of the fasted growing food commodities within the last few decades: fresh vegetables global supply chains.
Please use the readings provided. The dolan and humphrey 2000 and the burt – sparks 2003 are the two main readings for this assignment. So please look at those and the main question slides first.
The other readings that can be used for the question are there as well. The essay also requires a brief explanation of the key concepts and for them to be applied in the essay (upstream, downstream, supply chain management, smile curve, governance structure etc.) The theories and their related readings are labeled as lecture 4 and 5 content.
For the formatting please stick to a classic introduction, 3 main body paragraph and conclusion. Please have a clear introduction and conclusion to each paragraph.